Geographical Information System Pointing Device Association

The patent implements a universal communication protocol that allows any pointing device to interact with any digital object in the GIS without requiring manufacturer-specific hardware pairs. The central unit mediates all communications using standardized geometric component matching, enabling one pointing device to control multiple different target devices and vice versa, thus achieving multi-functionality and eliminating the need for dedicated sender-receiver pairs.

The central unit acts as an intermediary between pointing devices and target devices. Instead of direct communication between pointing device and target device requiring matched hardware, the central unit receives geometric components from the pointing device, matches them with digital objects in the GIS database, and establishes associations. This mediator approach simplifies the system architecture and improves adaptability while maintaining reliable communication.

The system employs a universal interface standard where all pointing devices communicate geometric components (position, orientation, scale) that can be matched with any digital object in the GIS. This universality allows free mixing and matching of different pointing devices with different target devices, enabling easy upgradability and eliminating hardware multiplicity issues associated with manufacturer-specific pairs.

The patent replaces physical mechanical connections (sender-receiver hardware pairs) with a software-based geometric component matching system. The communication relies on exchanging geometric data (position, orientation, scale parameters) rather than physical signal transmission through matched hardware, thereby enabling easy upgradability and flexibility in device selection.

The patent segments the complex task of managing associations between digital objects by introducing a structured approach: digital objects are divided into groups based on their associations, with each group having a representative object. When a pointing device targets any object in a group, the system automatically identifies the representative and retrieves all associated objects. This segmentation reduces data management complexity while maintaining interaction diversity.

The system creates logical copies or references between associated digital objects rather than managing complex direct relationships. Each digital object can have associations with multiple other objects, and these associations are stored as references in the central unit's database. This copying approach simplifies data management while enabling diverse interactions, as the system can efficiently retrieve and manage groups of associated objects through their representative members.